Systems and methods for metadata-driven command processor and structured program transfer protocol
Systems and methods for facilitating on-demand delivery and processing of program(s) and program-compatible application(s) on a plurality of different machines. In an embodiment, a metadata-driven command processor on a machine sends a request for a booting program and application to an agent. In response to the request, the agent invokes a resource to generate a booting program dataset that defines the booting program and an application dataset that defines the application, generates a response dataset comprising two or more nested datasets, wherein the two or more nested datasets comprise at least the booting program dataset and the application dataset, and sends the response dataset to the metadata-driven command processor. The metadata-driven command processor copies the booting program dataset and the application dataset into a process dataset comprising two or more nested datasets, and processes the first process dataset to execute the booting program and application on the machine.
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This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/830,249, filed on Mar. 14, 2013 and titled “Systems and Methods for Metadata-driven Command Processor and Structured Program Transfer Protocol,” which, in turn, claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent App. No. 61/762,779, filed on Feb. 8, 2013 and titled “Systems and Methods for Metadata-driven Command Processor (MCP) and Structured Program Transfer Protocol (SPTP),” and U.S. Provisional Patent App. No. 61/783,362, filed on Mar. 14, 2013 and titled “Systems and Methods for Metadata-driven Database Application Framework,” all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entireties, as if set forth in full.
BACKGROUND1. Field of the Invention
The invention is generally directed to the on-demand delivery and processing of codeless programs and program-compatible applications on any machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, in order to execute an application on a machine, it must be specifically designed and implemented for that particular machine. For example, different versions of a software application must be created to work on both the Microsoft Windows™ operating system and Mac OS™. Virtual machines have mitigated this issue to an extent. Specifically, a virtual machine is a software simulation of an abstract or real machine that is generally different from the machine on which it is being executed. A virtual machine allows a software application designed for the virtual machine to be run on each machine on which the virtual machine is installed and executed, regardless of the machine's particular architecture. However, currently, there is no way to allow programs and applications to be transferred, on-demand, from machine to machine while preserving their processing or execution states across those different machines. In addition, there is currently no way to execute a program and application on any machine, e.g., from an appliance controller (e.g., home thermostat) to a mobile device (e.g., smart phone). For instance, conventional home thermostats cannot act as a virtual machine running a Windows™ application.
SUMMARYAccordingly, systems and methods are disclosed for on-demand transfer and delivery and processing of programs and program-compatible applications on any machine and across different machines.
In an embodiment, a method for facilitating on-demand delivery and processing of one or more programs and program-compatible applications is disclosed. The method comprises, using at least one hardware processor: by a first metadata-driven command processor on a first machine, sending a first request for a booting program and application to an agent, wherein the first request comprises an identification of a resource; in response to the first request, by the agent, invoking the identified resource to generate a booting program dataset that defines the booting program and an application dataset that defines the application, generating a first response dataset, wherein the first response dataset comprises two or more nested datasets, wherein the two or more nested datasets comprise at least the booting program dataset and the application dataset, and sending the first response dataset to the first metdata-driven command processor; and, by the first metadata-driven command processor, copying the booting program dataset and the application dataset into a first process dataset comprising two or more nested datasets, and processing the first process dataset to execute the booting program and the application on the first machine.
In an additional embodiment, a system for facilitating on-demand delivery and processing of one or more programs and program-compatible applications is disclosed. The system comprises: a first machine comprising at least one hardware processor and a first metadata-driven command processor; and an agent; wherein the first metadata-driven command processor sends a first request for a booting program and application to the agent, wherein the first request comprises an identification of a resource; wherein, in response to the first request, the agent invokes the identified resource to generate a booting program dataset that defines the booting program and an application dataset that defines the application, generates a first response dataset, wherein the first response dataset comprises two or more nested datasets, wherein the two or more nested datasets comprise at least the booting program dataset and the application dataset, and sends the first response dataset to the first metdata-driven command processor; and wherein the first metadata-driven command processor copies the booting program dataset and the application dataset into a first process dataset comprising two or more nested datasets, and processes the first process dataset to execute the booting program and the application on the first machine.
In an additional embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium is disclosed. The medium has stored thereon: a first metadata-driven command processor comprising a first set of instructions; and an agent comprising a second set of instructions; wherein the first metadata-driven command processor sends a first request for a booting program and application to the agent, wherein the first request comprises an identification of a resource; wherein, in response to the first request, the agent invokes the identified resource to generate a booting program dataset that defines the booting program and an application dataset that defines the application, generates a first response dataset, wherein the first response dataset comprises two or more nested datasets, wherein the two or more nested datasets comprise at least the booting program dataset and the application dataset, and sends the first response dataset to the first metdata-driven command processor; and wherein the first metadata-driven command processor copies the booting program dataset and the application dataset into a first process dataset comprising two or more nested datasets, and processes the first process dataset to execute the booting program and the application on the first machine.
The details of the present invention, both as to its structure and operation, may be gleaned in part by study of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts, and in which:
A metadata-driven command processor (MCP) and structured program transfer protocol (SPTP) are disclosed in various embodiments.
1. Glossary
For purposes of understanding the present disclosure, the following terms should be defined as indicated below:
“Machine”: An electronic device capable of performing one or more computing processes, receiving data from one or more other electronic devices (e.g., other machines), and/or sending data to one or more other electronic devices (e.g., other machines). Examples of machines include, without limitation, a server, personal computer (PC), laptop computer, tablet, in-vehicle media, entertainment, and/or control system, smart phone, feature phone, appliance, mechanical controller, sensor, thermostat, etc.
“Agent”: A hardware or software component or module that acts for a user or program in an agency relationship. Examples of agents include, without limitation, a central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor, operating system (OS), native Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) container, web browser window, web service, database server, etc.
“Statement”: A string of characters that are constructed in the syntax of a scripting language, and which can be executed, in their entirety, by a compatible resource to perform a computing process. Examples of computing processes which may be performed by executing a statement include, without limitation, rendering a display, manipulating and/or retrieving data, printing a document, invoking an application programming interface (API), controlling a mechanism, etc.
“Resource”: A computer program that transforms statements written in a high-level scripting language to a lower-level language that can be executed on a machine to manipulate and/or retrieve data, render display content, etc. Examples of resources include, without limitation, a data engine, layout and/or rendering engine, machine control and/or printing engine, etc.
“Remote Resource”: A resource on a remote machine that can be invoked directly by an agent on another machine. For example, two or more machines may be separated by one or more networks, such as the Internet, rendering each of the machines remote from the other. An example of a remote resource includes, without limitation, a web service.
“Request”: A message sent to a resource or remote resource via a communication protocol that is intended to elicit a responding message. An example of a request includes, without limitation, a Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) request.
“Response”: A message returned from a resource or remote resource via a communication protocol in response to a request (e.g., after executing the request). Examples of responses include, without limitation, an error message, user event, SQL result set, etc.
“Metadata-based Method”: A metadata-based subroutine that is associated with a program and includes one or more single line commands (“method steps”) which are interpreted by the disclosed metadata-driven command processor to manipulate datasets loaded in a memory on a machine and invoke machine resources.
“Program”: A static set of instructions that are executed by a command processor to control the behavior of a machine. The execution of a program is a series of actions following the set of instructions that it contains. Each instruction may produce an effect that alters the state of a machine according to the instruction's predefined meaning. A program manages and integrates a machine's capabilities, but typically does not directly apply in the performance of tasks that benefit the user or machine. An example of a program includes, without limitation, the Microsoft Windows™ operating system.
“Application”: Computer software that applies the power of a particular program to a particular purpose. A command processor serves the program which serves the application which serves a specific purpose. Examples of applications include, without limitation, enterprise software, accounting software, office suites, graphics software, media players, etc.
“Dataset”: A collection of data presented in tabular form. Each column in a dataset may represent a particular variable. Each row in a dataset may correspond to a given member of the dataset in question. A dataset may comprise data for one or more members, corresponding to the number of rows.
“Dataset Element”: Any value in a dataset. A dataset element can be referenced by a combination of its column position (“column index”) and row position (“row index”) within the dataset.
“Nested Dataset”: A dataset stored as a dataset element within another dataset. Nested datasets are one-to-many relationships embodied in a single parent dataset memory store.
“Metadata”: There are two types of metadata. “Structural metadata” is data about the design and specification of data structures. Structural metadata cannot be data about data, since at design time, the application contains no data. Rather, structural metadata is data about the containers of data. “Descriptive metadata” is data about data content. This data content is the individual instances of application data.
“Communication Protocol”: A system of digital message formats and rules for exchanging messages in or between computing systems (e.g., in telecommunications). Protocols may include signaling, authentication, and error detection and correction capabilities. Each message has an exact meaning intended to provoke a defined response by the receiver. The nature of the communication, the actual data exchanged, and any state-dependent behaviors are defined by a technical specification or communication protocol standard. Examples of conventional communication protocols include, without limitation, HTTP, HTTP Secure (HTTPS), File Transfer Protocol (FTP), etc.
“Command Processor”: A software shell with the primary purposes of (1) loading or booting another program, and (2) processing commands from the launched program. Processing of these commands can include, without limitation, data transfers, event handling, display renderings, and machine-to-machine communications. Examples of conventional command processors include, without limitation, the Microsoft Disk Operating System™ (MS-DOS), command line tools (e.g., “command.exe” or “cmd.exe”), Unix or Linux “shells,” etc.
“Command”: A subroutine within a command processor that can be invoked by an agent or by another command, and which executes an instruction set. Certain commands can be referenced by a command code.
“Scripting Language”: A programming language that supports the writing of scripts. Scripts are programs written for a software environment that automate the execution of tasks which, alternatively, could be executed one-by-one by a human operator. Environments that can be automated through scripting include, without limitation, software applications, web pages within a web browser, shells of operating systems, and several general purpose and domain-specific languages, such as those for embedded systems. Examples of scripting languages include, without limitation, Structured Query Language (SQL), HTML, Printer Control Language (PCL), eXtensible Markup Language (XML), Computer Numeric Control (CNC), etc.
“Booting”: The process of loading and executing bootstrap software by a computer during the start-up process. Booting is a chain of events that start with execution of hardware-based procedures that may then hand-off to firmware and software which is loaded into memory. Booting often involves processes such as performing self-tests, and loading configuration settings, Basic Input/Output System (BIOS), resident monitors, a hypervisor, an operating system, and/or utility software.
“Event”: An action that is initiated outside the scope of a command processor, and that is handled by the command processor. Typical sources of events include users (e.g., via keystroke(s), i.e., pressing one or more keys on a keyboard) and software or hardware devices (e.g., a timer). A computer program that changes its behavior in response to events is said to be event-driven, often with the goal of being interactive.
“Instruction Set”: A collection of computer instructions, including native data types, instructions, registers, addressing modes, memory architecture, interrupt and exception handling, and external Input/Output (I/O). Instructions are in the form of a programming language (i.e., source code) or machine language (i.e., machine code) that is compatible with a machine resource. Source code is written using some human-readable computer language, usually as text. The source code of a program is specially designed to facilitate the work of computer programmers, who specify the actions to be performed by a computer, primarily by writing source code. The source code is automatically translated at some point to machine code that the computer can directly read and execute.
2. Overview
The disclosed metadata-driven command processor and structured program transfer protocol facilitate on-demand delivery and processing of codeless programs and program-compatible applications on virtually any machine, from an appliance controller (e.g., home thermostat) to a smart device (e.g., smart phone). The disclosed embodiments also facilitate the transfer and delivery of programs and applications on one machine (e.g., tablet PC) to another machine (e.g., in-vehicle navigation system) via a communications interface, while maintaining the process state of the programs and/or applications. The request, delivery, and transfer of program and application metadata between machines are facilitated by a novel structured program transfer protocol for communications. The applications can be as simple as an on/off switch or as complex as client-server business solutions (e.g., enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM), etc.).
For example, the disclosed metadata-driven command processor and structured program transfer protocol can facilitate codeless, rapid development and on-demand delivery of database applications on end user devices, such as smart phones, tablets, PCs, and in-vehicle navigation systems. The database application may be a spreadsheet, web site, client-server business solution, etc. From the database application's metadata, the metadata-driven command processor can dynamically generate statements in various scripting languages (e.g., HTML, SQL, XML, PCL), executed on the end-user device (EUD) or on a remote resource (e.g., web service) to render a user interface, retrieve and manipulate database content, and invoke EUD-specific functionality (e.g., print documents, capture signatures, scan barcodes, read credit cards, etc.).
The metadata-driven command processor may have functionality and purpose similar to that of MS-DOS, whereas the programs may have functionality and purpose similar to Microsoft Windows™, and the applications may have functionality and purpose similar to Windows-based applications. However, the disclosed systems and methods are metadata-driven to provide nearly universal applicability across all machines. The instruction set within the metadata-driven command processor is minimal and can be embedded within a machine's operating system, chipset, or other machine component. Alternatively or additionally, the instruction set can be embedded within a container software application (e.g., web browser) that is installed on the machines.
A structured program transfer protocol is also disclosed. The structured program transfer protocol is a type of communication protocol that defines the dataset schema for sending a type of request (“SPTPRequest”) and receiving programs, applications, data, and execution state collectively as a type of response (“SPTPResponse”) from one machine to another.
Agent 210 may launch metadata-driven command processor 220 on machine 200, passing it a booting SPTPRequest that specifies the source of the booting program and application to be processed. Metadata-driven command processor 220 may send a SPTPRequest to agent 210 and receive a SPTPResponse from that agent.
The SPTPRequest may identify the resource needed to execute the SPTPRequest. If the resource identified in the SPTPRequest is on a remote machine (e.g., machine 100), then the SPTPRequest also identifies the agent (e.g., agent 110) on the remote machine that can communicate with the resource (e.g., resource 180) on the remote machine. In this case, agent 210 forwards the SPTPRequest (e.g., SPTPRequest 410) to the remote agent (e.g., agent 110).
If the SPTPRequest specifies a request to send a booting program and application, then agent 210 or the identified remote agent (e.g., agent 110) invokes the identified resource 280 or remote resource (e.g., resource 180) to generate the booting Program and Application datasets. The invoking agent generates a SPTPResponse that includes a structured version of the booting Program and Application datasets (e.g., Program dataset 134 and Application dataset 136). If the SPTPResponse is generated by a remote agent (e.g., agent 110), then the remote agent returns the SPTPResponse (e.g., SPTPResponse 420) to agent 210. Agent 210 returns the SPTPResponse to metadata-driven command processor 220 for processing. Metadata-driven command processor 220 copies the contents of the Program and Application datasets included in the SPTPResponse to Program dataset 234 and Application dataset 236 nested in Process dataset 230 and continues processing.
If the SPTPRequest specifies a request to send an additional program-compatible application, then agent 210 or the identified remote agent (e.g., agent 110) invokes the identified resource 280 or remote resource (e.g., 180) to generate the additional program-compatible application datasets. The invoking agent generates a SPTPResponse that includes a structured version of the additional program-compatible application datasets (e.g., Application dataset 136). If the SPTPResponse is generated by a remote agent (e.g., agent 110), then the remote agent returns the SPTPResponse (e.g., SPTPResponse 420) to agent 210. Agent 210 returns the SPTP to metadata-driven command processor 220 for processing. Metadata-driven command processor 220 copies the contents of the Application dataset included in the SPTPResponse to Application dataset 236 nested in Process dataset 230 and continues processing.
If the SPTPRequest specifies a request to execute a statement included in the SPTPRequest, then agent 210 or the identified remote agent (e.g., agent 110) sends the statement (e.g., statement 270 or statement 170) to identified resource 280 or a remote resource (e.g., 180) for execution. The executing resource may return a response (e.g., response 260 or response 160) to the invoking agent. The invoking agent generates a SPTPResponse that includes a structured version of the resource response (e.g., Data dataset 138). If the SPTPResponse is generated by a remote agent (e.g., agent 110), then the remote agent returns the SPTPResponse (e.g., SPTPResponse 420) to agent 210. Agent 210 returns the SPTPResponse to metadata-driven command processor 220 for processing. Metadata-driven command processor 220 copies the contents of the Data dataset included in the SPTPResponse to Data dataset 238 nested in Process dataset 230 and continues processing.
If the SPTPRequest specifies a request to send a program, loaded application(s), and current execution state from a remote machine (e.g., machine 300), then agent 210 forwards the SPTPRequest (e.g., SPTPRequest 415) to the identified remote agent (e.g., agent 310). The identified remote agent (e.g., agent 310) invokes the remote metadata-driven command processor (e.g., metadata-driven command processor 320) to return its Process dataset (e.g., Process dataset 330) which includes its program, loaded application(s), and current execution state (e.g., Message dataset 332, Program dataset 334, Application dataset 336, and Data dataset 338). The remote agent generates a SPTPResponse that includes the Process dataset and returns the SPTPResponse (e.g., SPTPResponse 425) to agent 210. Agent 210 returns the SPTPResponse to metadata-driven command processor 220 for processing. Metadata-driven command processor 220 copies the contents of the Process dataset included in the SPTPResponse to its Process dataset 230, which includes the program, loaded application(s), and current execution state within its nested Message dataset 232, Program dataset 234, Application dataset 236, and Data dataset 238. Metadata-driven command processor 220 continues program processing from the execution state that existed on the remote machine.
In an embodiment, metadata-driven command processor 220 generates or updates Process dataset 230 from SPTPResponse 420 or receives Process dataset 230 through SPTPResponse 425 (transferred from Process dataset 330).
SPTPResponse dataset 420, SPTPResponse dataset 425, and Process dataset 230 may each comprise a single row having four nested datasets: Message dataset 232, Program dataset 234, Application dataset 236, and Data dataset 238. In turn, Program dataset 234 may comprise a single row containing seven nested datasets: Methods dataset 241, MethodSteps dataset 242, Transfers dataset 243, TransferColumns dataset 244, TransferConditions dataset 245, TransferFormulas dataset 246, and DatasetColumns dataset 247.
If the SPTPResponse includes a booting program and application, metadata-driven command processor 220 generates Process dataset 230 from SPTPResponse, and then identifies a MethodID dataset element in a row of Methods dataset 241 which is associated with booting. Next, metadata-driven command processor 220 identifies one or more rows in the MethodSteps dataset 242 that are associated with the identified MethodID dataset element. Metadata-driven command processor 220 processes these one or more rows by invoking a command that is associated to a CommandCode dataset element in each row. After completion of all the commands associated with applicable rows identified from the MethodSteps dataset 242, metadata-driven command processor 220 maintains its state, and waits for one of its commands to be invoked by agent 210 based on a user event, machine event, or request from a remote agent.
In an embodiment, commands may perform one or more of the following:
(1) Conditionally invoke another method based on the current value of a dataset element.
(2) Conditionally append, update, or delete a dataset row based on the current value(s) of element(s) in one or more other datasets.
(3) Build a statement from the current values of dataset elements that is specific to a scripting language.
(4) Invoke an agent or remote agent to execute a statement via a compatible resource on the machine of the invoked agent. The response from the resource may be converted by the agent into a SPTPResponse that is processed by the metadata-driven command processor.
(5) Transfer the Process dataset within the metadata-driven command processor to a remote agent. This allows the remote agent's metadata-driven command processor to continue program processing from its current state.
As mentioned above, a dataset structure for an embodiment of a structured program transfer protocol is illustrated in
In the illustrated embodiment, Methods dataset 241, MethodSteps dataset 242, Transfers dataset 243, TransferColumns dataset 244, TransferConditions dataset 245, TransferFormulas dataset 246, and DatasetColumns dataset 247 are all multi-row nested datasets within Program nested dataset 234. Program dataset 234 may also include one or more program-specific nested datasets 248. The schema of Application dataset 236 and its nested one or more datasets is program-specific and may vary. Similarly, the schema of Data dataset 238 is statement-specific and may vary.
In the illustrated embodiment of
3. Example Embodiments of a SPTP
3.1. Example SPTP Request
The following description illustrates a non-limiting embodiment of a structured program transfer protocol request. The structured program transfer protocol request may comprise a single-row SPTPRequest dataset, which may be sent from an agent (e.g., agent 210) to a metadata-driven command processor (e.g., MCP 220), from a metadata-driven command processor (e.g., MCP 220) to an agent (e.g., agent 210), or from an agent (e.g., agent 210) to a remote agent (e.g., agent 110 or agent 310). The SPTPRequest dataset includes structured dataset elements that any metadata-driven command processor, agent, or remote agent can interpret and process. In this embodiment, the dataset comprises the columns illustrated in Table 1:
Illustrative defined values for specific SPTPRequest dataset columns are illustrated in Table 2:
3.2. Example SPTP Response
The following description illustrates a non-limiting embodiment of a structured program transfer protocol response. The structured program transfer protocol response may comprise a single-row SPTPResponse dataset, which may be returned to a metadata-driven command processor (e.g., MCP 220) from an agent (e.g., agent 210) or to an agent (e.g., agent 210) from a remote agent (e.g., agent 110 or agent 310) in response to a SPTPRequest. In an embodiment, this dataset contains four columns. Each dataset element may contain a specific nested dataset as shown in Table 3:
In an embodiment, the Message dataset is a single-row dataset with the columns illustrated in Table 4:
Illustrative defined values for specific Message dataset columns are listed in Table 5:
In an embodiment, the Program dataset is a single-row dataset with the seven defined columns illustrated in Table 6. It may also include one or a plurality of program-specific columns beginning at NDSI 7. Each dataset element may contain a specific nested dataset as shown below:
In an embodiment, the Methods dataset nested within the Program dataset contains one or more rows with the columns illustrated in Table 7:
Illustrative defined values for specific Methods dataset columns are listed in Table 8:
In an embodiment, the MethodSteps dataset nested within the Program dataset contains one or more rows with the columns illustrated in Table 9:
Illustrative defined values for specific MethodSteps dataset columns are listed in Table 10:
In an embodiment, the Transfers dataset nested within the Program dataset contains one or more rows with the columns illustrated in Table 11:
Illustrative defined values for specific Transfers dataset columns are listed in Table 12:
In an embodiment, the TransferColumns dataset nested within the Program dataset contains one or more rows with the columns illustrated in Table 13:
Illustrative defined values for specific TransferColumns dataset columns are listed in Table 14:
In an embodiment, the TransferConditions dataset nested within the Program dataset contains one or more rows with the columns illustrated in Table 15:
Illustrative defined values for specific TransferConditions dataset columns are listed in Table 16:
In an embodiment, the TransferFormulas dataset nested within the Program dataset contains one or more rows with the columns illustrated in Table 17:
Illustrative defined values for specific TransferFormulas dataset columns are listed in Table 18:
In an embodiment, the DatasetColumns dataset nested within the Program dataset contains one or more rows with the columns illustrated in Table 19:
In an embodiment, the Application dataset nested within the SPTPResponse dataset contains a single row with a variable number of columns that are program-specific, as shown in Table 20. Each dataset element may contain a nested dataset that is program-specific.
In an embodiment, the Data dataset nested within the SPTPResponse dataset comprises one or more rows that are generated from the response of a resource to a statement. The Data dataset may include a variable number of columns that is statement-specific. Each Data dataset element may contain a value that is statement-specific and resource-specific.
4. Example Embodiment of a Metadata-Driven Command Processor
As mentioned above, the metadata-driven command processor generates a Process dataset which may contain the same defined schema as the SPTPResponse. Process dataset elements are populated from the SPTPResponse dataset elements. All of the processing within the metadata-command processor then references elements within the Process dataset. For instance, in the disclosed exemplary schema, the nested datasets can be referenced within the Process dataset using the indices shown in Table 21:
In an embodiment, the metadata-driven command processor contains six commands that each include instruction sets: ProcessRequest, ProcessEvent, TransferData, ClearData, Send/Receive, and CallMethod. The ProcessRequest command is invoked by components of an agent. The TransferData, ClearData, and Send/Receive commands are invoked within instruction sets of commands of the metadata-driven command processor. The ProcessEvent and CallMethod commands may be invoked by agent components and within command instruction sets of the metadata-driven command processor. The CallMethod, TransferData, ClearData, and Send/Receive commands may be assigned command codes 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively.
Receive/send monitor 211 of agent 210 is configured to receive requests from remote agent 310, send results to remote agent 310, and invoke ProcessRequest command 221 of metadata-driven command processor 220 and resource handler 215 of agent 210. Booter 212 of agent 210 is configured to invoke ProcessRequest command 221 of metadata-driven command processor 220. Machine event handler 213 of agent 210 is configured to receive machine events and invoke ProcessEvent command 222 of metadata-driven command processor 220. User event handler 214 of agent 210 is configured to receive user events and invoke CallMethod command 223 of metadata-driven command processor 220. Resource handler 215 of agent 210 is configured to send requests to remote agent 310, receive results from remote agent 310, receive requests from Send/Receive command 226, send statements to resource 280, receive results from resource 280, and return results to Send/Receive command 226.
ProcessRequest command 221 may be invoked by receive/send monitor 211 and booter 212 of agent 210, and may invoke ProcessEvent command 222 and Send/Receive command 226. ProcessEvent command 222 may be invoked by a ProcessRequest command 221 and machine event handler 213, and may invoke CallMethod command 223. CallMethod command 223 may be invoked by a ProcessEvent command 222, user event handler 214, and CallMethod command 223, and may invoke CallMethod command 223, TransferData command 224, ClearData command 225, and Send/Receive command 226. TransferData command 224 may be invoked by CallMethod command 223 and TransferData command 224, and may invoke TransferData command 224. ClearData command 225 may be invoked by CallMethod command 223. Send/Receive command 226 may be invoked by ProcessRequest command 221 and CallMethod command 223, and may send requests to resource handler 215 of agent 210.
In an embodiment, metadata-driven command processor 220 contains instruction sets in a programming language or machine language that is compatible with machine 200. The example instruction sets below illustrate non-limiting examples of instruction sets using the JavaScript programming language. However, it should be understood that any suitable alternative programming language or machine language may be utilized.
4.1. ProcessRequest Command
ProcessRequest command 221 facilitates: (1) loading of a booting program and application; and (2) transferring a loaded program, application(s), and their processing states to a metadata-driven command processor on another machine. Instruction Set 1 of the example instruction sets below illustrates an example of how the functionality of ProcessRequest command 221 may be implemented in JavaScript. ProcessRequest command 221 may be invoked by the receive/send monitor 211 and booter 212 components of an agent when a SPTPRequest is to be processed by metadata-driven command processor 220. Based on the value of a RequestType element in the SPTPRequest dataset, one of the following instruction sets may be executed:
(1) If RequestType is 0 (a defined value representing a “Load Booting Program and Application” request type), then ProcessRequest command 221 resets the RequestType to 1 (a defined value representing a “Send Booting Program and Application” request type), invokes Send/Receive command 226 with the updated SPTPRequest to retrieve a booting program and application, and creates an initial Process dataset from the returned SPTPResponse. ProcessRequest command 221 then invokes ProcessEvent command 222 to execute the booting method by setting command parameters as follows: EventType=1, RecordID=0, and Value=“ ”.
(2) If RequestType is 2 (a defined value representing a “Send Loaded Program and Applications” request type), then ProcessRequest command 221 sets SPTPResponse to the Process dataset. Agent 210 returns the SPTPResponse, comprising the Process dataset, to remote agent 310 to allow the metadata-driven command processor of remote agent 310 to continue program processing from its current state.
4.2. ProcessEvent Command
ProcessEvent command 222 identifies the method associated with a machine event, and invokes CallMethod command 223 to execute the identified method. Instruction Set 2 of the example instruction sets below illustrates an example of how the functionality of ProcessEvent command 222 may be implemented in JavaScript. ProcessEvent command 222 may be invoked by machine event handler 213 of agent 210 whenever a machine event is to be processed by metadata-driven command processor 220. ProcessEvent command 222 may also be conditionally invoked by ProcessRequest command 221 and Send/Receive command 226. ProcessEvent command 222 may include the parameters shown in Table 22:
If the EventType parameter value is 3 (a defined value for a “Message” event type) before the Program dataset has been generated, then ProcessEvent command 222 generates a system-level error message. Regardless of the value of the EventType parameter, if the Program dataset has not been generated, ProcessEvent command 222 terminates its processing.
Otherwise, the MethodID variable is set to the MethodID element value in the Methods dataset for the row in which the EventType element value matches the EventType parameter value. Then CallMethod command 223 is invoked with the MethodID variable, RecordID parameter, and Value parameter values passed as the MethodID, RecordID, and Value parameters, respectively, for CallMethod command 223.
If the EventType parameter is set to 3 (a defined value for a “Message” event type), then the values for the MessageCode, TypeCode, Description, and SourceCode elements in the Message dataset are cleared.
4.3. CallMethod Command
CallMethod command 223 (CommandCode 1) executes the rows within the MethodSteps dataset that are associated with a specific method. The MethodStep row execution invokes the command associated with a row when the row's condition, if any, is met. Instruction Set 3 of the example instructions sets below illustrates an example of how the functionality of CallMethod command 223 may be implemented in JavaScript. CallMethod command 223 may be invoked by user event handler 214 of agent 210 whenever a user event is to be processed by metadata-driven command processor 220. CallMethod command 223 may also be invoked by ProcessEvent command 222, and conditionally invoked within the instruction set of CallMethod command 223. CallMethod command 223 may include the parameters shown in Table 23:
CallMethod command 223 updates the SPTPRequest dataset elements RecordID and Value from its RecordID and Value parameters, respectively. CallMethod command 223 then executes the rows within the MethodSteps dataset that are associated with the MethodID parameter. For each MethodStep row, an instruction set represented by the following pseudocode may be performed:
The SkipCommand variable is set to false.
-
- If the MethodStep row's ConditionOperator element value is not 0 (a defined value representing “none”), then the following instruction set is executed:
- If the MethodStep row's ElseCondition element value is 0 (a defined value representing “No”), then the ConditionMet variable is reset to false. Otherwise, if ConditionMet is true, then the SkipCommand variable is set to true because a superseding block condition was met.
- If the MethodStep row's ElseCondition element value is 0 or ConditionMet is false, then the following instruction set is executed:
- The MethodStep row's ConditionValue element value is compared to the value of the element within the single-row dataset denoted by the MethodStep row's ConditionDSI and ConditionNDSI element values, and the column index denoted by the MethodStep row's ConditionCI element value.
- If the MethodStep row's ConditionOperator value is 1 (a defined value representing “=”) and the SourceValue variable and ConditionValue element values do not match, then the SkipCommand variable is set to true.
- If the SkipCommand variable is set to false, then ConditionMet is set to true and one of the following instruction sets is executed based on the MethodStep row's CommandCode element value:
- (1) If CommandCode is 1, then CallMethod command 223 is invoked.
- (2) If CommandCode is 2, then TransferData command 224 is invoked.
- (3) If CommandCode is 3, then ClearData command 225 is invoked.
- (4) If CommandCode is 4, then Send/Receive command 226 is invoked.
- The MethodStep row's CommandObjectID element value is passed as the single parameter when the invoked command is CallMethod command 223, TransferData command 224, or ClearData command 225. If the CommandObjectID element value is 0, then the ObjectID element value in the SPTP dataset is passed as the parameter.
- If the MethodStep row's ConditionOperator element value is not 0 (a defined value representing “none”), then the following instruction set is executed:
4.4. TransferData Command
TransferData command 224 (CommandCode 2) appends, updates, or deletes a dataset row based on the current values of another dataset row's elements. Instruction Set 4 of the example instruction sets below illustrates an example of how the functionality of TransferData command 224 may be implemented in JavaScript. TransferData command 224 may be conditionally invoked by CallMethod command 223 and within the instruction set of TransferData command 224. TransferData command 224 may include the parameter shown in Table 24:
TransferData command 224 executes the row in the Transfers dataset that is associated with the TransferID parameter. The FromDataset variable is set to the Dataset identified from the FromDSI and FromNDSI elements values within the Transfers dataset. If the FromDSI value is −1, then the FromDataset is set to the SPTPRequest dataset. The ToDataset variable is set to the dataset identified from the ToDSI and ToNDSI elements values within the Transfers dataset. If to ToDSI value is −1, then the ToDataset is identified as the SPTPRequest dataset.
If the FromDataset is a single row, then the FromRI variable is set to 0. Otherwise, the FromRI variable is set to the row index within the FromDataset whose element values meet the criteria defined within the TransferConditions dataset rows that are associated with the TransferID parameter. For each matching row in the TransferConditions dataset, an instruction set represented by the following pseudocode may be performed:
-
- The FromCI variable is set to the FromCI element value of the TransferConditions row. The FromElement variable is set to the value of the element at column index FromCI within the current FromDataset row. Based on the OperatorCode element value of the TransferConditions row, one of the following instruction sets is executed:
- (1) If OperatorCode is 1 (a defined value representing “=”), the FromElement variable must match the Value element value of the TransferConditions' row.
- The FromCI variable is set to the FromCI element value of the TransferConditions row. The FromElement variable is set to the value of the element at column index FromCI within the current FromDataset row. Based on the OperatorCode element value of the TransferConditions row, one of the following instruction sets is executed:
Based on the value of TransferType element of the Transfer dataset, one of the following instruction sets is executed:
-
- (1) If TransferType is 1 (a defined value representing “Append”), a new row is appended to the ToDataset, and element values are set from the DefaultValue element value of each matching row in the DatasetColumns dataset, associated by ToDSI and ToNDSI values. The ToRI variable is set to the new row index.
- (2) If TransferType is 2 (a defined value representing “Update”), the ToRI variable is set to 0.
- (3) If TransferType is 3 (a defined value representing “Delete”), the FromRI row is deleted from the FromDataset, and the ToDSI, ToNDSI, and ToDataset variables are set to the FromDSI, FromNDSI, and modified FromDataset variables, respectively.
- (4) If TransferType is 4 (a defined value representing “Copy”), the ToDataset variable is set to the FromDataset variable.
- (5) If TransferType is 5 (a defined value representing “Nest”), the element value in column ToCI of the single-row ToDataset is set to the FromDataset variable.
If TransferType is 1 or 2 (defined values representing “Append” and “Update,” respectively), then, for each row in the TransferColumns dataset that is associated with the TransferID parameter, an instruction set represented by the following pseudocode may be performed:
-
- (1) The ToCI variable is set to the TransferColumns row's ToCI element value. The value of the element at index location [ToRI][ToCI] within the ToDataset (“ToElement”) is set based on the row's SourceCode element value as follows:
- (a) If SourceCode is 1 (a defined value representing “Column”), the FromCI variable is set to the row's SourceValue element value. The ToElement value is set to the value of the element at index location [FromRI][FromCI] within the FromDataset (“FromElement”).
- (b) If SourceCode is 2 (a defined value representing “Constant”), the ToElement value is set to the row's SourceValue element value.
- (c) If SourceCode is 3 (a defined value representing “Formula”), the ToElement value is set to the value (FromValue variable) resulting from execution of the following instructions for each row in TransferFormulas where the ColumnID element value matches the TransferColumns row's SourceValue element value:
- (i) Based on the TransferFormulas' SourceCode element value, one of the following instruction sets is executed:
- (aa) If SourceCode is 1 (a defined value representing “Column”), the FromCI variable is set to TransferFormulas' SourceValue element value. The SourceValue variable is set to the value of the element at index location [FromRI][FromCI] within the FromDataset.
- (bb) If SourceCode is 2 (a defined value representing “Constant”), the SourceValue variable is set to TransferFormulas' Value element value.
- (ii) Based on the value of the TransferFormulas' OperatorCode element, one of the following instructions set is executed:
- (aa) If OperatorCode is 1 (a defined value representing “Append”), the SourceValue is appended to the current FromValue.
- (bb) If OperatorCode is 2 (a defined value representing “Trim”), the number of characters in the SourceValue is removed from the end of the FromValue.
- (cc) If OperatorCode is 3 (a defined value representing “+”), the FromValue is set to the sum of the current FromValue and the SourceValue.
- (i) Based on the TransferFormulas' SourceCode element value, one of the following instruction sets is executed:
- (1) The ToCI variable is set to the TransferColumns row's ToCI element value. The value of the element at index location [ToRI][ToCI] within the ToDataset (“ToElement”) is set based on the row's SourceCode element value as follows:
TransferData command 224 may invoke itself for each row in the Transfers dataset in which its ParentID element value matches the TransferID parameter. The matching row's TransferID element value is passed as the TransferID parameter.
4.5. ClearData Command
ClearData command 225 (CommandCode 3) clears the data in a nested dataset contained within the Application dataset. Instruction Set 5 of the example instructions sets below illustrates an example of how the functionality of ClearData command 225 may be implemented in JavaScript. ClearData command 225 may be invoked by CallMethod command 223. ClearData command 225 may include the parameter shown in Table 25:
4.6. Send/Receive Command
Send/Receive command 226 (CommandCode 4) may invoke resource handler 215 of agent 210 to (1) execute a statement using resource 280, or (2) forward a SPTPRequest to remote agent 310 for processing. Instruction Set 6 of the example instruction sets below illustrates an example of how the functionality of Send/Receive command 226 may be implemented in JavaScript. Send/Receive command 226 may conditionally update the Process dataset from the SPTPResponse. Send/Receive command 226 may be conditionally invoked by ProcessRequest command 221 and CallMethod command 223.
In an embodiment, based on the value of the RemoteConnectType element of the SPTPRequest dataset, one of the following instructions sets is executed:
-
- (1) If RemoteConnectType is 0 (a defined value representing “none”), then Send/Receive command 226 invokes resource handler 215 to execute a statement using resource 280. To do this, Send/Receive command 226 sets the parameters of resource handler 215 as follows: ConnectType=SPTPRequest dataset element ResourceConnectType, ConnectString=SPTPRequest dataset element ResourceConnection, and SendString=SPTPRequest dataset element Statement.
- (2) If RemoteConnectType is 1 (a defined value representing “SPTP”), then Send/Receive command 226 invokes resource handler 215 to send the SPTPRequest to remote agent 310. To do this, Send/Receive command 226 sets the parameters of resource handler 215 as follows: ConnectType=SPTPRequest dataset element RemoteConnectType, ConnectString=SPTPRequest dataset element RemoteConnection, and SendString=SPTPRequest.
- (3) If RemoteConnectType is greater than 1, then Send/Receive command 226 invokes resource handler 215 to send a statement to remote resource 380. To do this, Send/Receive command 226 sets the parameters of resource handler 215 as follows: ConnectType=SPTPRequest dataset element RemoteConnectType, ConnectString=SPTPRequest dataset element RemoteConnection, and SendString=SPTPRequest dataset element Statement.
Resource handler 215 creates a SPTPResponse dataset within metadata-driven command processor 220 based on the response from resource 280, remote agent 310, or remote resource 380. Send/Receive command 226 updates the Process dataset by setting the Message element of the Process dataset to the Message element of the SPTPRequest dataset.
If the MessageType element within the Message nested dataset is 1 (a defined value representing “Error”), then Send/Receive command 226 invokes ProcessEvent command 222, passing the value 3 as the EventType parameter (a defined value representing “Message”) and terminates its processing. Otherwise, Send/Receive command 226 updates the Process dataset by setting the Data element of the Process dataset to the Data element of the SPTPRequest dataset.
In an embodiment, based on the value of the RequestType element of the SPTPRequest dataset, one of the following instructions is executed:
-
- (1) If RequestType is 1 (a defined value representing “Send Program”), then Send/Receive command 226 also updates the Process dataset as follows: Process dataset element Program=SPTPRequest dataset element Program, and Process dataset element Application=SPTPRequest dataset element Application.
- (2) If RequestType is 2 (a defined value representing “Send Application”), then Send/Receive command 226 also updates the Process dataset as follows: Process dataset element Application=SPTPRequest dataset element Application.
- If the MessageType element within the Message nested dataset is greater than 1, then Send/Receive command 226 invokes ProcessEvent command 222, passing the value 3 as the EventType parameter (a defined value representing “Message”).
5. Example Embodiment of an Agent
As discussed above, agent 210 may comprise receive/send monitor 211, booter 212, machine event handler 213, user event handler 214, and resource handler 215. In an embodiment, receive/send monitor 211 monitors incoming requests from remote agents (e.g., remote agent 310). When a SPTPRequest is received, receive/send monitor 211 invokes a resource manager component of agent 210 or the ProcessRequest command 221 of metadata-driven command processor 220, based on the RequestType element. Receive/send monitor 211 creates a SPTPResponse based on the process results from resource handler 215 or metadata-driven command processor 220, and returns the result to the requesting remote agent.
In an embodiment, booter 212 creates a booting SPTPRequest within metadata-driven command processor 220, and invokes ProcessRequest command 221 of metadata-driven command processor 220 to load the booting program and application.
In an embodiment, machine event handler 213 invokes ProcessEvent command 222 of metadata-driven command processor 220 when a machine event is to be processed by metadata-driven command processor 220. For instance, when a machine display size change event occurs, machine event handler 213 updates Width and Height elements within the SPTPRequest dataset of metadata-driven command processor 220 based on the new machine display size, and sets the EventType parameter of ProcessEvent command 222 to the value 2 (a defined value for “Screen Size Change”).
In an embodiment, user event handler 214 invokes CallMethod command 223 of metadata-driven command processor 220 when a user event occurs that is associated with a dynamic display rendering generated from a statement. Examples of user events include, without limitation, an OnClick event, OnLostFocus event, OnChange event, etc.
In an embodiment, resource handler 215 is invoked by Send/Receive command 226 of metadata-driven command processor 220 to (1) execute a statement using resource 280, or (2) forward a SPTPRequest to remote agent 310. Resource handler 215 converts a response from resource 280 or remote agent 310 into a SPTPResponse that is processed by metadata-driven command processor 220. The MessageCode, MessageType, Description, and SourceCode elements in the Message nested dataset are set based on a system message (e.g., error or alert) in the response.
6. Example Utility
An implementation of a sample utility which utilizes an embodiment of the disclosed metadata-driven command processor and structured program transfer protocol will now be described. The utility is a metadata-driven database application whose booting program and application enable an end user of an end-user device (e.g., a type of a machine 200) to add, update, delete, view, and navigate the same program and application metadata stored in a SQL relational database on a remote machine by rendering dynamic HTML content on the end-user device based on user-invoked events.
An agent contains an instruction set in a programming language or machine language that is compatible with a resource on an end-user device or other machine. A sample agent instruction set is illustrated in Instruction Set 7 of the example instruction sets below. In this example, the agent and MCP instruction sets are in the form of JavaScript. The MCP instruction set exists in a JS file (in this example, “×10Data_MCP.js”) that is referenced within the agent instruction set. The agent instruction set includes booter and resource handler components.
The booter creates a SPTPRequest, within the metadata-driven command processor, that contains the dataset element values illustrated in Table 26A:
It should be understood that these values may alternatively be illustrated in a row-column format, as shown in Table 26B:
The booter invokes the ProcessRequest command of the metadata-driven command processor. The ProcessRequest command updates the dataset element values in the SPTPRequest shown in Table 26C:
The booter invokes the Send/Receive command. Then the Send/Receive command invokes the agent's resource handler component. The resource handler forwards the SPTPRequest to the remote agent identified as SOAP-based web service “appCase.mobi”. The remote agent creates a SPTPResponse that includes the booting program and application retrieved from a remote resource in the form of a SQL relational database. In this example, the SPTPResponse has the nested Program dataset element values shown in Tables 27A-35B:
In this example, the SPTPResponse has the nested program-defined Application dataset element values shown in Tables 36A-44B. In this example, the appConditions dataset in Table 42B does not contain any rows.
The resource handler returns control to the Send/Receive command. The Send/Receive command creates the Process dataset from the SPTPResponse and returns control to the ProcessRequest command. The ProcessRequest command then invokes the ProcessEvent command by calling ProcessEvent(1,0,“ ”), i.e., passing parameters 1, 0, and “ ” to subroutine ProcessEvent( ). In turn, the ProcessEvent command invokes the CallMethod command by calling CallMethod(1,0,“ ”). The CallMethod command updates the SPTPRequest dataset element values from its parameters. After being updated by the CallMethod command, the SPTPRequest contains the following updated values for column indices 10 and 12:
The CallMethod command invokes the TransferData command by calling TransferData(6,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1). The TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10] from constant values. The appended row is shown in Table 46:
The CallMethod command calls CallMethod(46) which sequentially invokes the ClearData command by calling ClearData(11), ClearData(12), ClearData(13), ClearData(14), ClearData(15) and ClearData(16) to remove the rows from process-generated Application nested datasets referenced as Process[0][2][0][11], Process[0][2][0][12], Process[0][2][0][13], Process[0][2][0][14], Process[0][2][0][15], and Process[0][2][0][16], respectively.
The CallMethod command then calls TransferData(68,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the SPTPRequest dataset elements from the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10]) as shown in Table 47:
The CallMethod command then calls CallMethod(2). The CallMethod command calls TransferData(11,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends rows to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][16] from condition-matching rows in the “Commands” Program nested dataset (i.e., Process[0][1][0][8]). In this case, no rows matched the conditions.
Below Marks the Start of Sample Process 1
The CallMethod command then calls CallMethod(23). The CallMethod command calls TransferData(12,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][9] from a single row in the “appSession” Application nested dataset (i.e., Process[0][2][0][0]) as shown in Table 48:
The TransferData command then calls TransferData(32,2,0,0,2,9,0). The TransferData command updates the appended row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][9] from the single-row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10], as shown in Table 49:
The TransferData command then calls TransferData(15,2,0,0,2,9,0). The TransferData command copies the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10] into a data element of the appended row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][9], as shown in Table 50:
The TransferData command then calls TransferData(16,2,0,0,2,9,0). The TransferData command copies the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][11] into a data element of the appended row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][9], as shown in Table 51:
The TransferData command then calls TransferData(17,2,0,0,2,9,0). The TransferData command copies the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][12] into a data element of the appended row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][9] as shown in Table 52:
The TransferData command then calls TransferData(244,2,0,0,2,9,0). The TransferData command copies the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][13] into a data element of the appended row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][9], as shown in Table 53:
The TransferData command then calls TransferData(245,2,0,0,2,9,0). The TransferData command copies the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][14] into a data element of the appended row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][9], as shown in Table 54:
The TransferData command then calls TransferData(18,2,0,0,2,9,0). The TransferData command copies the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][15] into a data element of the appended row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][9], as shown in Table 55:
The TransferData command then calls TransferData(19,2,0,0,2,9,0). The TransferData command copies the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][16] into a data element of the appended row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][9], as shown in Table 56:
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(14,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the “appSession” Application nested dataset (i.e., Process[0][2][0][0]) from constant (formula) values as shown in Table 57:
Below Marks the Start of Sample Process 2
The CallMethod command calls CallMethod(7). The CallMethod command sequentially calls ClearData(17), ClearData(18), and ClearData(19) to remove the rows from process-generated Application nested datasets referenced as Process[0][2][0][17], Process[0][2][0][18], and Process[0][2][0][19], respectively.
The CallMethod command calls CallMethod(8). The CallMethod command calls TransferData(20,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][17] from constant values, as shown in Table 58:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(71,2,10,0,2,17,0), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][18] from constant and parameter values, as shown in Table 59:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(22,2,10,0,2,18,0), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][19] from the single row in the “appSession” Application nested dataset (i.e., Process[0][2][0][0]) and constant and parameter values, as shown in Table 60:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(83,2,10,0,2,18,0), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][19] from the single row in the “appSession” Application nested dataset (i.e., Process[0][2][0][0]) and constant and parameter values, as shown in Table 61:
The CallMethod command calls CallMethod(9). The CallMethod command calls TransferData(24,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][17] from constant values, as shown in Table 62:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(73,2,10,0,2,17,1), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][18] from constant and parameter values, as shown in Table 63:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(48,2,10,0,2,18,1), and the TransferData command appends rows to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][19] from condition-matching rows in the “Menus” Program nested dataset (i.e., Process[0][1][0][7]) and constant and parameter values, as shown in Table 64:
Above Marks the End of Sample Process 2
The CallMethod command calls CallMethod(10). The CallMethod command calls TransferData(26,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][17] from constant values, as shown in Table 65:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(74,2,10,0,2,17,2), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][18] from constant and parameter values, as shown in Table 66:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(84,2,10,0,2,18,2), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][19] from the single row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10] and constant and parameter values, as shown in Table 67:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(229,2,10,0,2,19,9), and the TransferData command updates the last appended row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][19] from the condition-matching single row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10]. In this case, the row did not match the condition.
The TransferData command calls TransferData(86,2,10,0,2,17,2), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][18] from constant and parameter values, as shown in Table 68:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(87,2,10,0,2,18,3), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][19] from the single row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10] and constant and parameter values, as shown in Table 69:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(235,2,10,0,2,19,10), and the TransferData command updates the last appended row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][19] from the condition-matching single row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10]. In this case, the row did not match the condition.
The TransferData command then calls TransferData(88,2,10,0,2,18,3), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][19] from the single row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10] and constant and parameter values, as shown in Table 70:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(236,2,10,0,2,19,11), and the TransferData command updates the last appended row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][19] from the condition-matching single row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10]. In this case, the row did not match the condition.
Above Marks the End of Sample Process 1
The CallMethod command calls CallMethod(13). The CallMethod command calls TransferData(30,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][17] from constant values, as shown in Table 71:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(75,2,10,0,2,17,3), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][18] from constant and parameter values, as shown in Table 72:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(50,2,10,0,2,18,4), and the TransferData command appends rows to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][19] from condition-matching rows in the “Commands” Program nested dataset (i.e., Process[0][1][0][8]) and constant and parameter values. In this case, no rows matched the conditions.
The CallMethod command calls CallMethod(14). The CallMethod command calls TransferData(60,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the rows in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][18] from condition-matching rows in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][19] and constant values, as shown in Table 73:
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(61,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the rows in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][17] from condition-matching rows in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][18] and constant values, as shown in Table 74:
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(69,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the SPTPRequest dataset from constant values, as shown in Table 75:
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(53,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the SPTPRequest dataset from the rows in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][17] and constant values, as shown in Table 76:
The CallMethod command invokes the Send/Receive command by calling Send/Receive( ). The Send/Receive command invokes the resource handler of the agent. The resource handler invokes the HTML DOM layout engine resource to incorporate the statement included in the SPTPRequest which renders the first display shown in
If a user clicks the “Cards” element on the display illustrated in
The CallMethod command then invokes the TransferData command by calling TransferData(7,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1). The TransferData command updates the single row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10] from the condition-matching row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][19] as shown in Table 78:
The CallMethod command calls CallMethod(46) which sequentially invokes the ClearData command by calling ClearData(11), ClearData(12), ClearData(13), ClearData(14), ClearData(15), and ClearData(16) to remove the rows from process-generated Application nested datasets referenced as Process[0][2][0][11], Process[0][2][0][12], Process[0][2][0][13], Process[0][2][0][14], Process[0][2][0][15], and Process[0][2][0][16], respectively.
The CallMethod command then calls TransferData(68,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the SPTPRequest dataset elements from the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10], as shown in Table 79:
The CallMethod command calls CallMethod(3) which calls TransferData(10,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][15] from condition-matching rows in the “appEntities” Application nested dataset (i.e., Process[0][2][0][1]), as shown in Table 80:
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(11,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends rows to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][16] from condition-matching rows in the “Commands” Program nested dataset (i.e., Process[0][1][0][8]), as shown in Table 81:
The process defined in Sample Process 2 is repeated with dataset element values appended and updated as shown in the tables within those sections.
The CallMethod command calls CallMethod(11). The CallMethod command calls TransferData(28,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][17] from constant values, as shown in Table 82:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(79,2,10,0,2,17,2), and the TransferData command updates the last appended row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][17] from condition-matching rows in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][15] and constant values, as shown in Table 83:
Below Marks the Start of Sample Process 3
The CallMethod command calls CallMethod(13). The CallMethod command calls TransferData(30,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][17] from constant values, as shown in Table 84:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(75,2,10,0,2,17,3), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][18] from constant and parameter values, as shown in Table 85.
The TransferData command calls TransferData(50,2,10,0,2,18,4), and the TransferData command appends rows to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][19] from condition-matching rows in the “Commands” Program nested dataset (i.e., Process[0][1][0][8]) and constant and parameter values, as shown in Table 86:
Below Marks the Start of Sample Process 4
The TransferData command calls TransferData(136,2,16,0,2,19,8), and the TransferData command updates the last appended row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][19] from the condition-matching single row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10]. In this case, the row did not match the condition.
The TransferData command calls TransferData(222,2,16,0,2,19,8), and the TransferData command updates the last appended row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][19] from the condition-matching single row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10]. In this case, the row did not match the condition.
The CallMethod command calls CallMethod(14). The CallMethod command calls TransferData(60,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the rows in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][18] from condition-matching rows in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][19] and constant values, as shown in Table 87:
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(61,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the rows in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][17] from condition-matching rows in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][18] and constant values, as shown in Table 88:
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(69,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the SPTPRequest dataset from constant values, as shown in Table 75.
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(53,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the SPTPRequest dataset from the rows in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][17] and constant values, as shown in Table 89:
The CallMethod command invokes the Send/Receive command by calling Send/Receive( ). The Send/Receive command invokes the resource handler of the agent. The resource handler invokes the HTML DOM layout engine resource to incorporate the statement included in the SPTPRequest which renders the second display shown in
Above Marks the End of Sample Processes 3 and 4.
If a user clicks the “Entities” element on the display in
The CallMethod command then invokes the TransferData command by calling TransferData(38,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1). The TransferData command calls TransferData(38,2,1,20,2,10,0). The TransferData command updates the single row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10] from the condition-matching row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][4], as shown in Tables 91:
The CallMethod command calls CallMethod(46) which sequentially invokes the ClearData command by calling ClearData(11), ClearData(12), ClearData(13), ClearData(14), ClearData(15), and ClearData(16) to remove the rows from process-generated Application nested datasets referenced as Process[0][2][0][11], Process[0][2][0][12], Process[0][2][0][13], Process[0][2][0][14], Process[0][2][0][15], and Process[0][2][0][16], respectively.
The CallMethod command then calls TransferData(68,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the SPTPRequest dataset elements from the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10], as shown in Table 92:
The CallMethod command then calls CallMethod(3). The CallMethod command calls TransferData(213,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10] from the condition-matching row in the “appEntities” Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][1], as shown in Table 93:
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(10,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10] from condition-matching rows in the “appViews” Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][4], as shown in Table 94:
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(9,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends rows in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][12] from condition-matching rows in the “appConditions” Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][6]. In this case, no rows matched the conditions.
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(260,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends rows in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][12] from condition-matching rows in the “appConditions” Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][6]. In this case, no rows matched the conditions.
The CallMethod command calls CallMethod(47). The CallMethod command calls TransferData(89,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends a row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][11] from the condition-matching row in the “appKeyAttributes” Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][2], as shown in Table 95:
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(8,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends rows in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][11] from condition-matching rows in the “appColumns” Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][5], as shown in Table 96:
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(257,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command removes condition-matching rows in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][11]. In this case, no rows matched the conditions.
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(207,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends rows in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][13] from condition-matching rows in the “appRelations” Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][7], as shown in Table 97:
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(208,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends rows in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][14] from condition-matching rows in the “appRelationFields” Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][8], as shown in Table 98:
The CallMethod command calls CallMethod(16) which calls ClearData(20). The ClearData command removes the single row from the process-generated Application nested datasets referenced as Process[0][2][0][20]. In this case, no row pre-existed.
The CallMethod command then calls TransferData(81,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][20] from the SPTPRequest dataset, as shown in Table 99:
The CallMethod command then calls TransferData(54,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][20] from the condition-matching rows in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][11], as shown in Table 100:
The CallMethod command then calls TransferData(76,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][20] from the single row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10], as shown in Table 101:
The CallMethod command then calls TransferData(55,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][20] from the condition-matching rows in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][13], as shown in Table 102:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(56,2,13,0,2,20,0), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][20] from the condition-matching rows in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][14] as shown in Table 103:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(120,2,13,0,2,20,0), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][20] to trim the element value, as shown in Table 104:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(77,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][20] from the single row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10], as shown in Table 105:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(78,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][20] from the single row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][0], as shown in Table 106:
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(129,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][20] from the condition-matching single row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10]. In this case, the row did not match the conditions.
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(57,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][20] from condition-matching rows in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][12]. In this case, the row did not match the conditions.
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(58,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][20] from the condition-matching rows in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][11], as shown in Table 107:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(198,2,11,1,2,20,0), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][20] from the condition-matching, current row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][11], as shown in Table 108:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(199,2,11,1,2,20,0), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][20] from the condition-matching, current row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][11]. In this case, the current row does not match the conditions.
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(70,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the SPTPRequest dataset from constant values as shown in Table 109:
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(59,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the SPTPRequest dataset from the single row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][20], as shown in Table 110:
The CallMethod command invokes the Send/Receive command by calling Send/Receive( ). The Send/Receive command invokes the resource handler of the agent. The resource handler forwards the SPTPRequest to the remote agent identified in the SPTPRequest as SOAP-based web service “appCase.mobi”. The remote agent invokes the remote resource identified in the SPTPRequest as SQL Server “ADCMAIN\SQL2005” and database “×10DATA-MDB”. The remote resource executes the statement contained in the SPTPRequest and returns the execution results to the remote agent. The remote agent creates an SPTPResponse dataset that includes the execution results as a structured dataset, and returns the SPTPResponse to the resource handler.
The resource handler returns control to the Send/Receive command. The Send/Receive command copies the Data dataset within SPTPResponse[0][3] to Process[0][3] and returns control to the CallMethod command.
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(37,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command copies the Process[0][3] dataset to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][15], as shown in Table 111:
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(11,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends rows to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][16] from condition-matching rows in the “Commands” Program nested dataset (i.e., Process[0][1][0][8]), as shown in Table 112:
The process defined in Sample Process 1 is executed with dataset element values appended and updated as shown in the tables within those sections. Data element values may vary slightly.
The CallMethod command calls CallMethod(11). The CallMethod command calls TransferData(256,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the SPTPRequest dataset to reset the “Statement” element value to an empty string as shown in Table 113:
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(255,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the SPTPRequest dataset from constant values as shown in Table 114:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(249,2,15,0,−1,−1,0), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the SPTPRequest dataset from the first row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][15], as shown in Table 115:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(250,2,15,0,−1,−1,0), and the TransferData command cross updates the rows in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][11] from the current row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][15]. The element value in the RI in Process[0][2][0][11] is set to the element value in the CI in Process[0][2][0][15] where the CI matches the RI, as shown in Table 116:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(253,2,15,0,−1,−1,0), and the TransferData command calls TransferData(251,2,11,1,−1,−1,0) which updates the Statement element value in the SPTPRequest dataset from the RecordID element value and constant values, as shown in Table 117:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(252,2,11,1,−1,−1,0), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the SPTPRequest dataset from the first condition-matching row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][11], as shown in Table 118:
The process discussed above with respect to Table 97 is repeated for all remaining condition-matching rows in the Process[0][2][0][11] dataset. When the last row in Process[0][2][0][11] dataset is processed, the element value in the single row in the SPTPRequest dataset is updated, as shown in Table 119:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(254,2,15,0,−1,−1,0), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the SPTPRequest dataset from constant values, as shown in Table 120:
The process in the preceding seven paragraphs is repeated for all remaining rows in the Process[0][2][0][15] dataset. When the last row in Process[0][2][0][15] dataset is processed, the element value in the single row in the SPTPRequest dataset is updated, as shown in Table 121:
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(248,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][17] from the single row in the SPTPRequest dataset, as shown in Table 122:
The CallMethod command calls CallMethod(13). The CallMethod command calls TransferData(30,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][17] from constant values, as shown in Table 123:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(75,2,10,0,2,17,4), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][18] from constant and parameter values, as shown in Table 124:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(50,2,10,0,2,18,4), and the TransferData command appends rows to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][19] from condition-matching rows in the “Commands” Program nested dataset (i.e., Process[0][1][0][8]) and constant and parameter values, as shown in Table 125:
The process defined in Sample Process 4 is executed with dataset element values appended and updated as shown in the tables within those sections. Specific dataset element values will vary in some cases. The completion of this process renders the display as shown in
If a user clicks the “New” element on the display in
The CallMethod command then invokes the TransferData command by calling TransferData(7,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1). The TransferData command updates the single row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10] from the condition-matching row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][19], as shown in Tables 127:
The CallMethod command calls CallMethod(46) which sequentially invokes the ClearData command by calling ClearData(11), ClearData(12), ClearData(13), ClearData(14), ClearData(15), and ClearData(16) to remove the rows from process-generated Application nested datasets referenced as Process[0][2][0][11], Process[0][2][0][12], Process[0][2][0][13], Process[0][2][0][14], Process[0][2][0][15], and Process[0][2][0][16], respectively.
The CallMethod command then calls TransferData(68,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the SPTPRequest dataset elements from the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10], as shown in Table 128:
The CallMethod command then calls CallMethod(4). The CallMethod command calls TransferData(240,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10] from constant values, as shown in Table 129:
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(212,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10] from the condition-matching row in the “appEntities” Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][1], as shown in Table 130:
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(125,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10] from the condition-matching row in the “appEntities” Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][1], as shown in Table 131:
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(127,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10] from the condition-matching row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][8], as shown in Table 132:
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(122,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command updates the single row in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10] from the condition-matching row in the “appViews” Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][4], as shown in Table 133:
The CallMethod command calls CallMethod(62) which calls TransferData(8,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends rows in the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][11] from condition-matching rows in the “appColumns” Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][5], as shown in Table 134:
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(142,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command copies the nested dataset within a data element in the single row Application dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][9] to the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][12].
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(265,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command removes rows in the Application dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][11] for condition-matching rows in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][12]. In this case, no rows existed in the Process[0][2][0][12] dataset.
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(259,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends rows to the Application dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][11] for condition-matching rows in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][12]. In this case, no rows existed in the Process[0][2][0][12] dataset.
The CallMethod command calls TransferData(11,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends rows to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][16] from condition-matching rows in the “Commands” Program nested dataset (i.e., Process[0][1][0][8]), as shown in Table 135:
The process defined in Sample Process 1 is executed with dataset element values appended and updated as shown in the tables within those sections. Data element values may vary slightly.
The CallMethod command calls CallMethod(12). The CallMethod command calls TransferData(51,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][17] from constant values, as shown in Table 136.
The TransferData command calls TransferData(72,2,10,0,2,17,3), and the TransferData command appends a row to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][18] from constant and parameter values, as shown in Table 137:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(52,2,11,0,2,18,4), and the TransferData command appends rows to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][19] from condition-matching rows in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][11] and constant and parameter values, as shown in Table 138:
The TransferData command calls TransferData(123,2,11,0,2,18,4), and the TransferData command appends rows to the process-generated Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][19] from condition-matching rows in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][11] and constant and parameter values, as shown in Table 139:
The process in the preceding two paragraphs is repeated for all remaining condition-matching rows in the Process[0][2][0][11] dataset resulting in additional appended rows in the Process[0][2][0][19] dataset shown in Table 140:
The process defined in Sample Process 3 is executed with dataset element values appended and updated as shown in the Tables within those sections. Specific dataset element values will vary in some cases. The completion of this process renders the display as shown in
If a user inputs the text “Function” within the “Name” input element on the display as shown in
The CallMethod command then invokes the TransferData command by calling TransferData(223,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1). The TransferData command calls TransferData(47,2,11, 0,2,11,0) which updates the condition-matching row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][11] from the single row in the SPTPRequest dataset, as shown in Table 142:
The CallMethod command then calls TransferData(163,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1,−1), which calls TransferData(164,2,9,2,2,9,2). The TransferData command copies the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][11] into a data element of the condition-matching row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][9], as shown in Table 143:
The TransferData command then calls TransferData(221,2,9,2,2,9,2). The TransferData command copies the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][10] into a data element of the appended row in the Application nested dataset referenced as Process[0][2][0][9], as shown in Table 144:
If a user clicks the “Type” input element on the display, the user event handler of the agent will invoke CallMethod(5,15,””). The CallMethod command will then update the SPTPRequest dataset elements from its parameters for those elements shown in Table 145.
The process defined in Sample Process 3 is executed with dataset element values appended and updated as shown in the tables within those sections. Specific dataset element values will vary in some cases. The completion of this process renders the display as shown in
If a user clicks the “Bound” element on the display in
The process defined in Sample Process 3 is executed with dataset element values appended and updated as shown in the tables within those sections. Specific dataset element values will vary in some cases. The completion of this process renders the display shown in
If a user clicks the “Table” input element on the display in
The process defined in Sample Process 3 is executed with dataset element values appended and updated as shown in the tables within those sections. Specific dataset element values will vary in some cases. The completion of this process renders the display as shown in
If a user clicks the “Views” element on the display in
The process defined in Sample Process 3 is executed with dataset element values appended and updated as shown in the tables within those sections. Specific dataset element values will vary in some cases. The completion of this process renders the display as shown in
If a user clicks the “Save” element on the display in
The process defined in Sample Process 3 is executed with dataset element values appended and updated as shown in the tables within those sections. Specific dataset element values will vary in some cases. The completion of this process renders the display as shown in
If a user clicks the “Function” element on the display in
The process defined in Sample Process 3 is executed with dataset element values appended and updated as shown in the tables within those sections. Specific dataset element values will vary in some cases. The completion of this process renders the display as shown in
If a user clicks the “Table” label element on the display in
The process defined in Sample Process 3 is executed with dataset element values appended and updated as shown in the tables within those sections. Specific dataset element values will vary in some cases. The completion of this process renders the display as shown in
If a user clicks the “Detail” element on the display in
The process defined in Sample Process 3 is executed with dataset element values appended and updated as shown in the tables within those sections. Specific dataset element values will vary in some cases. The completion of this process renders the display as shown in
If a user clicks the “Entities” element on the display in
The process defined in Sample Process 3 is executed with dataset element values appended and updated as shown in the tables within those sections. Specific dataset element values will vary in some cases. The completion of this process renders the display as shown in
If a user clicks the “X10DATA.COM” element on the display in
The process defined in Sample Process 3 is executed with dataset element values appended and updated as shown in the tables within those sections. Specific dataset element values will vary in some cases. The completion of this process renders the display as shown in
If a user clicks the “Windows” element on the display in
The process defined in Sample Process 3 is executed with dataset element values appended and updated as shown in the tables within those sections. Specific dataset element values will vary in some cases. The completion of this process renders the display as shown in
If a user clicks the “Entity[Function]” element on the display in
The process defined in Sample Process 3 is executed with dataset element values appended and updated as shown in the tables within those sections. Specific dataset element values will vary in some cases. The completion of this process renders the display as shown in
7. Example Processing Device
The system 550 preferably includes one or more processors, such as processor 560. Additional processors may be provided, such as an auxiliary processor to manage input/output, an auxiliary processor to perform floating point mathematical operations, a special-purpose microprocessor having an architecture suitable for fast execution of signal processing algorithms (e.g., digital signal processor), a slave processor subordinate to the main processing system (e.g., back-end processor), an additional microprocessor or controller for dual or multiple processor systems, or a coprocessor. Such auxiliary processors may be discrete processors or may be integrated with the processor 560.
The processor 560 is preferably connected to a communication bus 555. The communication bus 555 may include a data channel for facilitating information transfer between storage and other peripheral components of the system 550. The communication bus 555 further may provide a set of signals used for communication with the processor 560, including a data bus, address bus, and control bus (not shown). The communication bus 555 may comprise any standard or non-standard bus architecture such as, for example, bus architectures compliant with industry standard architecture (“ISA”), extended industry standard architecture (“EISA”), Micro Channel Architecture (“MCA”), peripheral component interconnect (“PCI”) local bus, or standards promulgated by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (“IEEE”) including IEEE 488 general-purpose interface bus (“GPIB”), IEEE 696/S-100, and the like.
System 550 preferably includes a main memory 565 and may also include a secondary memory 570. The main memory 565 provides storage of instructions and data for programs executing on the processor 560. The main memory 565 is typically semiconductor-based memory such as dynamic random access memory (“DRAM”) and/or static random access memory (“SRAM”). Other semiconductor-based memory types include, for example, synchronous dynamic random access memory (“SDRAM”), Rambus dynamic random access memory (“RDRAM”), ferroelectric random access memory (“FRAM”), and the like, including read only memory (“ROM”).
The secondary memory 570 may optionally include a internal memory 575 and/or a removable medium 580, for example a floppy disk drive, a magnetic tape drive, a compact disc (“CD”) drive, a digital versatile disc (“DVD”) drive, etc. The removable medium 580 is read from and/or written to in a well-known manner. Removable storage medium 580 may be, for example, a floppy disk, magnetic tape, CD, DVD, SD card, etc.
The removable storage medium 580 is a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer executable code (i.e., software) and/or data. The computer software or data stored on the removable storage medium 580 is read into the system 550 for execution by the processor 560.
In alternative embodiments, secondary memory 570 may include other similar means for allowing computer programs or other data or instructions to be loaded into the system 550. Such means may include, for example, an external storage medium 595 and an interface 590. Examples of external storage medium 595 may include an external hard disk drive or an external optical drive, or and external magneto-optical drive.
Other examples of secondary memory 570 may include semiconductor-based memory such as programmable read-only memory (“PROM”), erasable programmable read-only memory (“EPROM”), electrically erasable read-only memory (“EEPROM”), or flash memory (block oriented memory similar to EEPROM). Also included are any other removable storage media 580 and communication interface 590, which allow software and data to be transferred from an external medium 595 to the system 550.
System 550 may also include a communication interface 590. The communication interface 590 allows software and data to be transferred between system 550 and external devices (e.g. printers), networks, or information sources. For example, computer software or executable code may be transferred to system 550 from a network server via communication interface 590. Examples of communication interface 590 include a modem, a network interface card (“NIC”), a wireless data card, a communications port, a PCMCIA slot and card, an infrared interface, and an IEEE 1394 fire-wire, just to name a few.
Communication interface 590 preferably implements industry promulgated protocol standards, such as Ethernet IEEE 802 standards, Fiber Channel, digital subscriber line (“DSL”), asynchronous digital subscriber line (“ADSL”), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (“ATM”), integrated digital services network (“ISDN”), personal communications services (“PCS”), transmission control protocol/Internet protocol (“TCP/IP”), serial line Internet protocol/point to point protocol (“SLIP/PPP”), and so on, but may also implement customized or non-standard interface protocols as well.
Software and data transferred via communication interface 590 are generally in the form of electrical communication signals 605. These signals 605 are preferably provided to communication interface 590 via a communication channel 600. In one embodiment, the communication channel 600 may be a wired or wireless network, or any variety of other communication links. Communication channel 600 carries signals 605 and can be implemented using a variety of wired or wireless communication means including wire or cable, fiber optics, conventional phone line, cellular phone link, wireless data communication link, radio frequency (“RF”) link, or infrared link, just to name a few.
Computer executable code (i.e., computer programs or software) is stored in the main memory 565 and/or the secondary memory 570. Computer programs can also be received via communication interface 590 and stored in the main memory 565 and/or the secondary memory 570. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the system 550 to perform the various functions of the present invention.
In this description, the term “computer readable medium” is used to refer to any non-transitory computer readable storage media used to provide computer executable code (e.g., software and computer programs) to the system 550. Examples of these media include main memory 565, secondary memory 570 (including internal memory 575, removable medium 580, and external storage medium 595), and any peripheral device communicatively coupled with communication interface 590 (including a network information server or other network device). These non-transitory computer readable mediums are means for providing executable code, programming instructions, and software to the system 550.
In an embodiment that is implemented using software, the software may be stored on a computer readable medium and loaded into the system 550 by way of removable medium 580, I/O interface 585, or communication interface 590. In such an embodiment, the software is loaded into the system 550 in the form of electrical communication signals 605. The software, when executed by the processor 560, preferably causes the processor 560 to perform the inventive features and functions previously described herein.
The system 550 also includes optional wireless communication components that facilitate wireless communication over a voice and over a data network. The wireless communication components comprise an antenna system 610, a radio system 615 and a baseband system 620. In the system 550, radio frequency (“RF”) signals are transmitted and received over the air by the antenna system 610 under the management of the radio system 615.
In one embodiment, the antenna system 610 may comprise one or more antennae and one or more multiplexors (not shown) that perform a switching function to provide the antenna system 610 with transmit and receive signal paths. In the receive path, received RF signals can be coupled from a multiplexor to a low noise amplifier (not shown) that amplifies the received RF signal and sends the amplified signal to the radio system 615.
In alternative embodiments, the radio system 615 may comprise one or more radios that are configured to communicate over various frequencies. In one embodiment, the radio system 615 may combine a demodulator (not shown) and modulator (not shown) in one integrated circuit (“IC”). The demodulator and modulator can also be separate components. In the incoming path, the demodulator strips away the RF carrier signal leaving a baseband receive audio signal, which is sent from the radio system 615 to the baseband system 620.
If the received signal contains audio information, then baseband system 620 decodes the signal and converts it to an analog signal. Then the signal is amplified and sent to a speaker. The baseband system 620 also receives analog audio signals from a microphone. These analog audio signals are converted to digital signals and encoded by the baseband system 620. The baseband system 620 also codes the digital signals for transmission and generates a baseband transmit audio signal that is routed to the modulator portion of the radio system 615. The modulator mixes the baseband transmit audio signal with an RF carrier signal generating an RF transmit signal that is routed to the antenna system and may pass through a power amplifier (not shown). The power amplifier amplifies the RF transmit signal and routes it to the antenna system 610 where the signal is switched to the antenna port for transmission.
The baseband system 620 is also communicatively coupled with the processor 560. The central processing unit 560 has access to data storage areas 565 and 570. The central processing unit 560 is preferably configured to execute instructions (i.e., computer programs or software) that can be stored in the main memory 565 or the secondary memory 570. Computer programs can also be received from the baseband processor 610 and stored in the data storage area 565 or in secondary memory 570, or executed upon receipt. Such computer programs, when executed, enable the system 550 to perform the various functions of the present invention as previously described. For example, data storage areas 565 may include various software modules (not shown).
Various embodiments may also be implemented primarily in hardware using, for example, components such as application specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”), or field programmable gate arrays (“FPGAs”). Implementation of a hardware state machine capable of performing the functions described herein will also be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art. Various embodiments may also be implemented using a combination of both hardware and software.
Furthermore, those of skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and method steps described in connection with the above described figures and the embodiments disclosed herein can often be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled persons can implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the invention. In addition, the grouping of functions within a module, block, circuit or step is for ease of description. Specific functions or steps can be moved from one module, block or circuit to another without departing from the invention.
Moreover, the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, and methods described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented or performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal processor (“DSP”), an ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor can be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor can also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.
Additionally, the steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. A software module can reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium including a network storage medium. An exemplary storage medium can be coupled to the processor such the processor can read information from, and write information to, the storage medium. In the alternative, the storage medium can be integral to the processor. The processor and the storage medium can also reside in an ASIC.
The above description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles described herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is to be understood that the description and drawings presented herein represent a presently preferred embodiment of the invention and are therefore representative of the subject matter which is broadly contemplated by the present invention. It is further understood that the scope of the present invention fully encompasses other embodiments that may become obvious to those skilled in the art and that the scope of the present invention is accordingly not limited.
8. Example Instructions Sets
Instruction Set 1, as discussed above, may be expressed as follows:
Instruction Set 2, as discussed above, may be expressed as follows:
Instruction Set 3, as discussed above, may be expressed as follows:
Instruction Set 4, as discussed above, may be expressed as follows:
Instruction Set 5, as discussed above, may be expressed as follows:
Instruction Set 6, as discussed above, may be expressed as follows:
Instruction Set 7, as discussed above, may be expressed as follows:
Claims
1. A method for facilitating on-demand delivery and processing of one or more programs and program-compatible applications, the method comprising, using at least one hardware processor:
- from a first metadata-driven command processor on a first machine, sending a first request dataset for a booting program and application to a first agent, wherein the first request dataset comprises an identification of a resource;
- in response to the first request dataset, by the first agent, invoking the identified resource to generate a booting program dataset that defines the booting program and an application dataset that defines the application, generating a first response dataset, wherein the first response dataset comprises two or more nested datasets, wherein the two or more nested datasets comprise at least the booting program dataset and the application dataset, and returning the first response dataset; and, by the first metadata-driven command processor, receiving the first response dataset, copying the booting program dataset and the application dataset from the first response dataset into a first process dataset comprising two or more nested datasets, wherein the application dataset that is copied into the first process dataset comprises a representation of a two-dimensional array of element values, and wherein each of two or more of the element values comprises a portion of source code for a user interface or event handler, and processing the first process dataset to execute the booting program and the application on the first machine, wherein executing the application on the first machine comprises constructing the user interface or event handler using the portions of source code from the two or more element values,
- wherein each of the first request dataset, as sent by the first metadata-driven command processor, the first response dataset, as returned by the first agent, the booting program dataset, the application dataset, and the first process dataset comprises a representation of a two-dimensional array of element values configured to be referenced by row and column indices, and
- wherein each of the booting program dataset and the application dataset comprises at least one representation of a two-dimensional array of element values nested within an element of another representation of a two-dimensional array of element values.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
- from the first metadata-driven command processor, sending a second request dataset for an additional program-compatible application to a second agent, wherein the second request dataset comprises an identification of a resource, and wherein the second agent is the same as or different than the first agent;
- in response to the second request dataset, by the second agent, invoking the resource identified in the second request dataset to generate an additional application dataset that defines the additional program-compatible application, generating a second response dataset, wherein the second response dataset comprises one or more nested datasets, wherein the one or more nested datasets comprise the additional application dataset, and returning the second response dataset; and,
- by the first metadata-driven command processor, receiving the second response dataset, copying the additional application dataset from the second response dataset into the first process dataset, and continuing to process the first process dataset on the first machine.
3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
- from the first metadata-driven command processor, sending a second request dataset to execute a statement to a second agent, wherein the second request dataset comprises the statement and an identification of a resource, and wherein the second agent is the same as or different than the first agent;
- in response to the second request dataset, by the second agent, invoking the resource identified in the second request dataset to execute the statement, receiving a resource response from the identified resource, generating a second response dataset, wherein the second response dataset comprises a data dataset that defines the resource response, and returning the second response dataset; and,
- by the first metadata-driven command processor, receiving the second response dataset, copying the data dataset from the second response dataset into the first process dataset, and continuing to process the first process dataset on the first machine.
4. The method of claim 1, further comprising, by the first agent,
- receiving a request dataset, initiated by a second metadata-driven command processor on a second machine, to send the first process dataset;
- generating a second response dataset based on the first process dataset, wherein the second response dataset comprises two or more nested datasets that define a program, one or more program-compatible applications, and a current execution state of the one or more program-compatible applications; and
- returning the second response dataset.
5. The method of claim 4, further comprising, by the second metadata-driven command processor:
- receiving the second response dataset;
- copying the two or more nested datasets of the second response dataset into a second process dataset; and
- processing the second process dataset to execute the program and the one or more program-compatible applications on the second machine, beginning from the current execution state.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein one or both of the booting program dataset and the first metadata-driven command comprises one or more functions and one or more commands associated with each of the one or more functions.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein processing the first process dataset comprises executing the one or more commands associated with at least one of the one or more functions.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein each of the one or more commands performs one or more of calling a command, transferring dataset values, clearing dataset values, sending a request dataset, and receiving and processing a response dataset.
9. The method of claim 1, wherein the first agent further processes a request dataset, and wherein processing a request dataset comprises one or more of:
- loading a program and at least one program-compatible application;
- loading one or more additional program-compatible applications;
- executing one or more statements by invoking identified resources; and
- transferring a loaded program, loaded one or more program-compatible applications, and a current execution state of the one or more program-compatible applications to a second metadata-driven command processor on a second machine over the at least one network.
10. The method of claim 6, wherein the first metadata-driven command processor further processes an event, and wherein processing an event comprises receiving a machine event from the first machine and, in response to the machine event, calling one of the one or more functions in the nested datasets of the booting program dataset.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein transferring dataset values comprises one or more of appending, updating, or deleting one or more rows in one or more nested datasets based on one or more current element values of another row in one or more nested datasets, and wherein the first metadata-driven command processor generates the request dataset and a current execution state of the application by transferring dataset values.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein clearing dataset values comprises clearing values in a nested dataset of the application dataset.
13. The method of claim 8, wherein sending a request dataset and receiving and processing a response dataset comprises invoking a local agent on the first machine to either process a request using a resource of the first machine, or send a request dataset to a remote agent on a second machine over the at least one network for processing and then receiving a response dataset.
14. The method of claim 1, wherein the first agent and the resource are on the first machine.
15. The method of claim 1, wherein the first agent and the resource are on a second machine that is different than the first machine, wherein sending the first request dataset to the first agent from the first metadata-driven command processor comprises communicating the first request dataset to the first agent via a second agent on the first machine, and wherein returning the first response dataset comprises communicating the first response dataset to the first metadata-driven command processor via the second agent on the first machine.
16. A system for facilitating on-demand delivery and processing of one or more programs and program-compatible applications, the system comprising:
- a first machine comprising at least one hardware processor and a first metadata-driven command processor; and
- a first agent;
- wherein the first metadata-driven command processor initiates sending of a first request dataset for a booting program and application to the first agent, wherein the first request dataset comprises an identification of a resource;
- wherein, in response to the first request dataset, the first agent invokes the identified resource to generate a booting program dataset that defines the booting program and an application dataset that defines the application, generates a first response dataset, wherein the first response dataset comprises two or more nested datasets, wherein the two or more nested datasets comprise at least the booting program dataset and the application dataset, and returns the first response dataset;
- wherein the first metadata-driven command processor receives the first response dataset, copies the booting program dataset and the application dataset from the first response dataset into a first process dataset comprising two or more nested datasets, and processes the first process dataset to execute the booting program and the application on the first machine; and
- wherein each of the first request dataset, the first response dataset, the booting program dataset, the application dataset, and the first process dataset comprises a representation of a two-dimensional array of element values configured to be referenced by row and column indices.
17. The system of claim 16,
- wherein the first metadata-driven command processor initiates sending of a second request dataset for an additional program-compatible application to a second agent, wherein the second request dataset comprises an identification of a resource, and wherein the second agent is the same as or different than the first agent;
- wherein, in response to the second request, the second agent invokes the resource identified in the second request dataset to generate an additional application dataset that defines the additional program-compatible application, generates a second response dataset, wherein the second response dataset comprises one or more nested datasets, wherein the one or more nested datasets comprise the additional application dataset, and returns the second response dataset; and,
- wherein the first metadata-driven command processor receives the second response dataset, copies the additional application dataset from the second response dataset into the first process dataset, and continues to process the first process dataset on the first machine.
18. The system of claim 16,
- wherein the first metadata-driven command processor initiates sending of a second request dataset to execute a statement to a second agent, wherein the second request dataset comprises the statement and an identification of a resource, and wherein the second agent is the same as or different than the first agent;
- wherein, in response to the second request dataset, the second agent invokes the resource identified in the second request dataset to execute the statement, receives a resource response from the identified resource, generates a second response dataset, wherein the second response dataset comprises a data dataset that defines the resource response, and returns the second response dataset; and, wherein the first metadata-driven command processor receives the second response dataset, copies the data dataset from the second response dataset into the first process dataset, and continues to process the first process dataset on the first machine.
19. The system of claim 16, wherein the agent further:
- receives a request dataset, initiated by a second metadata-driven command processor on a second machine, to send the first process dataset;
- generates a second response dataset based on the first process dataset, wherein the second response dataset comprises two or more nested datasets that define a program, one or more program-compatible applications, and a current execution state of the one or more program-compatible applications; and
- returns the second response dataset.
20. The system of claim 19, further comprising the second metadata-driven command processor, wherein the second metadata-driven command processor:
- receives the second response dataset;
- copies the two or more nested datasets of the second response dataset into a second process dataset; and
- processes the second process dataset to execute the program and the one or more program-compatible applications on the second machine, beginning from the current execution state.
21. The system of claim 16, wherein one or both of the booting program dataset and the first metadata-driven command processor comprises one or more functions and one or more commands associated with each of the one or more functions.
22. The system of claim 21, wherein processing the first process dataset comprises executing the one or more commands associated with at least one of the one or more functions.
23. The system of claim 22, wherein each of the one or more commands performs one or more of calling a command, transferring dataset values, clearing dataset values, sending a request dataset, and receiving and processing a response dataset.
24. The system of claim 16, wherein the first agent further processes a request dataset, and wherein processing a request dataset comprises one or more of:
- loading a program and at least one program-compatible application;
- loading one or more additional program-compatible applications;
- executing one or more statements by invoking identified resources; and
- transferring a loaded program, loaded one or more program-compatible applications, and a current execution state of the one or more program-compatible applications to a second metadata-driven command processor on a second machine over the at least one network.
25. The system of claim 21, wherein the first metadata-driven command processor further processes an event, and wherein processing an event comprises receiving a machine event from the first machine and, in response to the machine event, calling one of the one or more functions in the nested datasets of the booting program dataset.
26. The system of claim 23, wherein transferring dataset values comprises one or more of appending, updating, or deleting one or more rows in one or more nested datasets based on one or more current element values of another row in one or more nested datasets, and wherein the first metadata-driven command processor generates the request dataset and a current execution state of the application by transferring dataset values.
27. The system of claim 23, wherein clearing dataset values comprises clearing values in a nested dataset within the application dataset.
28. The system of claim 23, wherein sending a request dataset and receiving and processing a response dataset comprises invoking a local agent on the first machine to either process a request using a resource of the first machine, or send a request dataset to a remote agent on a second machine over the at least one network for processing and then receiving a response dataset.
29. The system of claim 16, wherein the first agent and the resource are on a second machine that is different than the first machine, wherein sending the first request dataset to the first agent from the first metadata-driven command processor comprises communicating the first request dataset to the first agent via a second agent on the first machine, and wherein returning the first response dataset comprises communicating the first response dataset to the first metadata-driven command processor via the second agent on the first machine.
30. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon:
- a first metadata-driven command processor comprising a first set of instructions; and
- an agent comprising a second set of instructions;
- wherein the first metadata-driven command processor initiates sending of a first request dataset for a booting program and application to the first agent, wherein the first request dataset comprises an identification of a resource;
- wherein, in response to the first request dataset, the first agent invokes the identified resource to generate a booting program dataset that defines the booting program and an application dataset that defines the application, generates a first response dataset, wherein the first response dataset comprises two or more nested datasets, wherein the two or more nested datasets comprise at least the booting program dataset and the application dataset, and returns the first response dataset;
- wherein the first metadata-driven command processor receives the first response dataset, copies the booting program dataset and the application dataset from the first response dataset into a first process dataset comprising two or more nested datasets, and processes the first process dataset to execute the booting program and the application on the first machine,
- wherein the first metadata-driven command processor is configured to, in response to an event or further response dataset, construct a further request dataset by appending, updating, or deleting one or more rows in one or more nested datasets within the process dataset and the further request dataset based on element values in the booting program dataset that include command codes and column and row indices referencing one or more nested datasets within the process dataset and the further request dataset, and also based on element values in the application dataset that include agent and resource identifiers and statement components, wherein the constructed further request dataset comprises an identification of an agent, an identification of a resource, and a statement that is executed by the identified resource to construct a user interface, query or modify a database, or control a machine; and
- wherein each of the first request dataset, the first response dataset, the booting program dataset, the application dataset, and the first process dataset comprises a representation of a two-dimensional array of element values configured to be referenced by row and column indices, and
- wherein each of the booting program dataset and the application dataset comprises at least one representation of a two-dimensional array of element values nested within an element of another representation of a two-dimensional array of element values.
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Type: Grant
Filed: Jan 21, 2014
Date of Patent: Apr 21, 2015
Patent Publication Number: 20140229726
Assignee: Automatic Data Capture Technologies Group, Inc. (Irvine, CA)
Inventor: Douglas T. Migliori (Newport Coast, CA)
Primary Examiner: Jaweed A Abbaszadeh
Assistant Examiner: Terrell Johnson
Application Number: 14/160,403
International Classification: G06F 17/30 (20060101); G06F 7/00 (20060101); G06F 9/44 (20060101);
